Cattle guard



Sept. l, 1936.` C, 5N|PE$ I 2,052,851

CATTLE GUARD Filed Mroh 24, 195e 2 sheets-sheet 1 l 6 A l orney 2Sheets-Sheet 2 c. l.. sNlPEs CATTLE GUARD Filed March 24, 1956 sept.1,1936.

Invenlor ,L 972 /J,

By t

A ilomey Patented Sept. l, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates broadly to cattle guards and more particularly toa clamp for securing the rails of the cattle guards in position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a clamp of the characterand for the purpose specified which will be found useful in securing therails in position regardless of any discrepancy between the rails as tosize and which also, will serve to admirably secure the rails inposition even after the rails and stringers have become quite worn.

The invention together with its objects and advantages will be bestunderstood from a study of the following description taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan View of a cattle guard illustrating theapplication of the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the guard also illustrating theapplication of the invention.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of a clamping plate, and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side edge elevational view of a clampingplate.

Referring to the drawings by reference numerals it will be seen that 5indicates generally a sectional cattle guard which in the presentinstance consists of laterally spaced ties or beams 6 upon which restthe rails 1, these rails being as suggested worn or discarded railwayrails.

In accordance with the present invention the rails I are secured inposition through the medium of clamping plates 8.

Each clamping plate in accordance with the present invention is formedfrom metal or other suitable material and is substantially oblong. Onthe under sides thereof the plate 8 at its respective opposite ends hasbeveled or inclined surfaces 9, and inwardly from said ends each plate 8has projecting therefrom a'transversely extending anchoring cleat Iwhich is sharpened to a knife edge so as to penetrate the wood of theties 6. Also the cleats I 0 present perpendicular at faces II which areadapted to abut the edges of the base flanges la. of the rails asclearly shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 1 the plates 8 are disposed between the rails and ateach tie 6 there are preferably provided two rows of such plates 8, withthe plates 8 of one row being staggered with regard to the plates 8 ofthe adjacent row.

Also each of the plates is secured in position through the medium of anelongated bolt I2 that extends through a suitable tapered opening I3provided therefor intermediate the ends of the plate 8 and also throughan opening provided therefor in a tie 6. As shown in Figure 2 the boltsI2 extend upwardly through the ties 6 and (Cl. 23S-8) the plates 8 andat their lower head equipped ends the bolts are provided with suitablewashers I l while at their upper ends the bolts are equipped with nutsI5.

As clearly shown when in proper position the inclined under faces 9 ofthe plates rest flatly on the inclined upper faces of the base flangesof the rails 'i with the edges of the base flanges abutting the faces Ilof the cleats I0. Obviously as the nuts I are threaded home thesharpened edges of the cleats I8 will bite into the wood of the ties 6to the end that both the plates and the rails will be held againstcreeping.

It will also be apparent that in actual practice plates'B willaccommodate themselves to the base flanges of the rails 'I regardless of the thickness of these flanges and that as the rails become loose dueto wear of the wooden Stringer the nuts I5 may be tightened up forsecuring the clamps and the rails in xed position.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1A For use in securing the rails of a cattle guard in position on theties provided for supporting said rails, a plurality of rail fasteningplates, each of said plates being substantially oblong and having itsrespective opposite ends provided with beveled under faces for engagingthe base flanges of adjacent rails, each plate inwardly from saidopposite end being also provided on the under side thereof withtransversely extending cleats having sharpened edges adapted to biteinto the tie, and each plate also intermediate its end being providedwith an opening for accommodating a bolt through the medium of which theplate is secured in position between adjacent rails.

2. For use in securing the rails of a cattle guard in position on theties provided for supporting said rails, a plurality of rail fasteningplates, each of said plates being substantially oblong and having itsrespective opposite ends provided with beveled under faces for engagingthe base flanges of adjacent rails, each plate inwardly from saidopposite ends being also provided on the under side thereof withtransversely extending cleats having sharpened edges adapted to biteinto the tie, and each plate also intermediate its end being providedwith a tapered opening for accommodating a bolt through the medium ofwhich the plate is secured in position between adjacent rails, and eachof said cleats having a perpendicular side forming an abutment shoulderto engage the edge of the base flange of a rail.

C. L. SNIPES.

